Detached disposable filter for exhaled smoke

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a smoke filter comprising a filter housing detached from a smoking apparatus, a mouth piece, an exhaled smoke intake vent, a pre-filter pouch having pores containing filter media; and a filter exit vent. The disposable filter is not used during inhalation, and only used during exhaling.

BACKGROUND

The use of various filters for removal of harmful effects while inhalingsmoke is common. However, the use of filters for exhaled smoke is not.

It is now commonly understood the exhaled smokes poses a significanthealth risk to those in the vicinity of the person who is smoking. Inaddition, the exhaled smoke has an odor which is highly offensive tonon-smokers. Moreover, cigarette or pipe smoke has a tendency to lingerin an enclosed place, such as a room, even if windows are opened. Forthis reasons, many hotels and other similar establishments either do notallow any smoking in any of their rooms, or allow smoking in only alimited number of their rooms. Accordingly, a smoke filter is desired tosubstantially reduce the harmful constituents of exhaled smoke, as wellas its odor.

Additionally, because smoking filters and assemblies “absorb” smoke,they cannot be fully cleaned and over time begin to accumulate germs,chemicals, and other materials. Lichtenberg, U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,757,describes a cigarette holder, which completely encloses a cigarette.Smoke is inhaled though the cigarette holder's filter, and thereafter,the same cigarette holder is used for exhaling smoke. Accordingly,Lichtenberg's device is used for both inhaling and exhaling smoke, aswell it can only function with cigarettes.

Therefore there is a need for a smoke filter that can be used withdifferent smoking apparatus. There is also a need for a smokingapparatus that is used only for exhaled smoke. There is also a need fora smoke filter that is disposable such that the same filter is not usedcontinuously and can be discarded. There is also a need for a smokefilter that has a low manufacturing cost.

Therefore, a first objective of the invention is to provide a smokefilter to be used with different smoking apparatus, not just cigarettes.Another objective of the invention is to provide a smoke filter that isdetached from the smoking apparatus.

Yet another objective of the invention is to have a disposable filter,made from flexible materials that are low in price, as well the filtercan be discarded after one or more uses.

Yet another objective of the invention is that it be light in weight sothat it can be carried when on travel.

SUMMARY

A disposable smoke filter invention is described to reduce the chemicalconstituents and odor of exhaled smoke. The smoke filter comprises afilter housing detached from a smoking apparatus, a mouth piece, anexhaled smoke intake vent, a pre-filter pouch having pores containingfilter media; and a filter exit vent. The disposable filter is not usedduring inhalation, and only used during exhaling.

In one embodiment of the invention the filter housing is made offlexible material. In a preferred embodiment the filter housing iscomprised of a metalized laminated pouch. Material used for thelaminated pouch consists of the group polyethylene terephthalate, foil,or polybarrier film. In another embodiment of the invention, themetalized laminated pouch is between 3 and 5 millimeters thick. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, the metalized laminated pouch is4 millimeters thick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the constituents of the smoke filter.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the smoke filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention comprises of a smoke filterhaving a filter housing 10, a mouth piece 12 and a exit vent 24. Themouth piece is attached to the filter housing by conventional means suchas by adhesives known in the art. The mouth piece 12 has an intake ventopening 14 where exhaled smoke passes through. After the smoke passesthrough the intake vent it enters into a pre-filter pouch 16. Thepre-filter pouch is connected to a hepa filter 20 and a sleeve 18, thethree forming a barrier to hold the activated carbon 22 within thefilter housing. On the side opposite the mouth piece, the housing filtercomprises of a filtered smoke exit vent 24. The filter housing 10 iscompletely detached from any smoking apparatus, such as a pipe or acigarette, without regard to the diameter, size, or shape of the smokingapparatus. The smoke exit vent is preferably comprised of many holes,each hole being smaller than the activated carbon to prevent theactivated carbon from exiting the exit vent. Moreover, the smokingapparatus may be an enclosed bag containing the smoke. Accordingly, thedisposable filter is not used during inhalation, and only used duringexhaling.

The filter housing 10 is made of a flexible material, such as ametalized laminated pouch. Material used for the laminated pouchconsists of the group polyethylene terephthalate, foil, or polybarrierfilm. In another embodiment of the invention, the metalized laminatedpouch is between approximately 3 and approximately 5 millimeters thick.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the metalized laminatedpouch is approximately 4 millimeters thick.

Although the invention has been described with respect to particularembodiments of a smoke filter that is detached from a smoking apparatus,it is appreciated that various modifications are possible withoutdeviating from the invention as defined by the claims set forth below.

1. A disposable smoke filter to reduce the chemical constituents andodor of exhaled smoke, comprising; (a) a flexible filter housingdetached from a smoking apparatus, (b) a mouth piece, (c) an exhaledsmoke intake vent, (d) a pre-filter pouch comprised of a metalizedlaminated pouch, having pores containing filter media; wherein themetalized laminated pouch is between approximately 3 and approximately 5millimeters thick, and (d) a filter exit vent, wherein smoke is notinhaled through the disposable smoke filter.
 2. The filter of claim 1wherein the metalized laminated pouch consists of the group polyethyleneterephthalate, foil, or polybarrier film.
 3. The filter of claim 1wherein the metalized laminated pouch is approximately 4 millimetersthick.